I really hope the bad times[bankruptcy,market slump,layoffs] are over with the end of 2008 and lets hope 2009 will bring with its onset a lot of hope. Hope for the economy to get back on track, hope for people who lost their jobs and houses to earn enough to get them back.Hope for the world to find peace and an end to the hatred[Terror attacks in Mumbai] we saw last year.
I wish all my readers a happy and successful year ahead.
Happy New year.
Cheers!!
Debasys
Dec 31, 2008
Dec 29, 2008
Computing on the go from MS
There was this cool patent registration yesterday.Microsoft had applied for a patent in 2007 for a concept called computing on the go.
The Patent's abstract explains this as "a standard PC is given away or heavily subsidized. The consumer then pays to use the computer, with charges based on length of usage time and performance levels.".
What this means is for example:
Consider a situation involving three "bundles" of applications and performance: office, gaming, and browsing.
"The office bundle may include word-processing and spreadsheet applications, medium graphics performance and two of three processor cores," the document reads. "The gaming bundle may include no productivity applications but may include 3D graphics support and three of three processor cores. The browsing bundle may include no productivity applications, medium graphics performance and high-speed network interface."
"Charging for the various bundles may be by bundle and by duration. For example, the office bundle may be $1.00 [68 pence] per hour, the gaming bundle may be $1.25 per hour and the browsing bundle may be $0.80 per hour. The usage charges may be abstracted to 'units/hour' to make currency conversions simpler. Alternatively, a bundle may incur a one-time charge that is operable until changed or for a fixed-usage period,"
Debasys
The Patent's abstract explains this as "a standard PC is given away or heavily subsidized. The consumer then pays to use the computer, with charges based on length of usage time and performance levels.".
What this means is for example:
Consider a situation involving three "bundles" of applications and performance: office, gaming, and browsing.
"The office bundle may include word-processing and spreadsheet applications, medium graphics performance and two of three processor cores," the document reads. "The gaming bundle may include no productivity applications but may include 3D graphics support and three of three processor cores. The browsing bundle may include no productivity applications, medium graphics performance and high-speed network interface."
"Charging for the various bundles may be by bundle and by duration. For example, the office bundle may be $1.00 [68 pence] per hour, the gaming bundle may be $1.25 per hour and the browsing bundle may be $0.80 per hour. The usage charges may be abstracted to 'units/hour' to make currency conversions simpler. Alternatively, a bundle may incur a one-time charge that is operable until changed or for a fixed-usage period,"
Debasys
Dec 23, 2008
Sony, ibibo launch application for RMTC movie
Sony BMG has partnered with ibibo.com to launch an application for the movie 'Raaz - The Mystery Continues' (RTMC).
The movie will hit theatres worldwide on Jan 23. The RTMC application on ibibo offers for the first time in India an opportunity for the audiences to Karaoke to the tracks of the movie and that too sing straight from their mobiles.
The application also treats users to the latest music of Raaz- The Mystery Continues and the haunting rifs of smash hit Maahi- the lead track, along with four other super hits! Users can register and sample exclusive RTMC videos, trailers, befriend the cast and crew, send exclusive RTMC eCards and eGifts to their ibibo friends.
Besides singing to RTMC tracks and joining the RTMC fan club, aspiring film makers and directors are invited to upload two to three minute videos, shot on a handy cam, mobile camera or a digicams, based on a supernatural or freaky theme and get a chance to spend a day with Mohit Suri, Director of RTMC and get to learn the art of film making.
The movie will hit theatres worldwide on Jan 23. The RTMC application on ibibo offers for the first time in India an opportunity for the audiences to Karaoke to the tracks of the movie and that too sing straight from their mobiles.
The application also treats users to the latest music of Raaz- The Mystery Continues and the haunting rifs of smash hit Maahi- the lead track, along with four other super hits! Users can register and sample exclusive RTMC videos, trailers, befriend the cast and crew, send exclusive RTMC eCards and eGifts to their ibibo friends.
Besides singing to RTMC tracks and joining the RTMC fan club, aspiring film makers and directors are invited to upload two to three minute videos, shot on a handy cam, mobile camera or a digicams, based on a supernatural or freaky theme and get a chance to spend a day with Mohit Suri, Director of RTMC and get to learn the art of film making.
Dec 20, 2008
Happens to the Best of us
The premise
It had been snowing like crazy since last afternoon and since me and Waman[my colleague and room partner] came from office yesterday at around 12:30 pm we had stayed inside till 4PM on the fateful Saturday afternoon[20th-Dec-2008].
We had to go out and start and run Waman's car[Hyundai Ascent our RIDE] for sometime to keep it in good running state otherwise it wont start in the morning while we go to office on Monday.So at around 3:45 PM after having our late lunch we were just chatting around watching Ristay [Waman's favorite TV show] and I said lets go and check out the car.So we got our winter cloths[jacket,gloves]on, put on our shoes and went out.We missed a few very very important things as we were cruelly reminded later.
Is this our car?
We got to the place where we had parked our car yesterday and were surprised to see it completely covered with snow.There was this cute little Chinese girl cleaning her
car , she said "Hi" we also returned the greetings.We also started to clear off the huge layer of snow that had accumulated over the last night. After we got the car relatively free of snow Waman got into the car to start it and I was filming him do this with my digi cam never knowing that things would go so terribly wrong.As you can see in the video Waman made the big mistake !! closed the door with the keys[INCLUDING the keys to our house] inside.So here we were few seconds back enjoying the snow ,happy and now we were all screwed up. Freezing in the -15C temp,snowing non-stop, no home,no car, no cell phone and no people around.Remember the things I told about we missed to take while going out yes now it was all coming back to haunt us , Oops! I forgot to take my wallet that had my key for the house, Waman forgot to take his cell phone.
Panic Strikes
Now we were stranded outside. Waman went to that Chinese chick to ask for help but as expected she had no clue what to do.Suddenly we remembered there was a auto-parts store called Midas just round the corner thinking they may have something or may be someone from them can help us get the car open; started running towards that store. As I was running my nose and cheeks lost all sensation and my fingers and feet also started to freeze. But to our horror they were closed "who will remain open in such worst weather"!!!.
Disappointed and hopeless we made our way back to thecar which was still running.We had no clue what to do and then we saw a man doing something in front of 47A[btw we stay at 47D]. So I told Waman lets go and ask him for help, we had to call 911 or AAA[Auto Insurance Company]. Waman went to him and explained our situation.
The Angel called Earl
The persons name was Earl he offered us help by giving us his phone to call as fortunately he also had a AAA membership so he had their number too. Waman called AAA and told them about our misery and as he told them that we were locked outside our home in freezing cold the lady said she will put our request in priority but this may still take up to 2 hours as they had lot of issues and were backed up due to the weather.
I said shit! what will we do till 2 hours? Earl offered us to come inside his house and wait for them.We first said "no we don't want to disturb you guys" but both us knew we needed to go inside if wanted to live to see another day.
The long wait.
We went inside; met his wife who was sitting besides a nicely decorated Christmas tree ,playing some game on her Wii.After our ordeal in the freezing snow for about half an hour we were now inside his warm,cozy home sitting on a comfortable sofa.
Waman started a conversation asking where were they from? which led to a series of casual discussions about a myriad of topics.Just to make us feel better Earl's wife told how her father once did a similar thing and that it "happens to the best of us" and that "you will laugh about this someday".It did not seem funny at that time but as I think of it now now I can see what she was saying. Me and Waman keep on laughing when ever we see the above video. All along Waman had kept an eye out of the window to spot the AAA guys.After almost 50 mins of wait finally a guy showed up in a truck.
Both me and Waman scampered out thanking Earl on the way for his help and with in no time the guy opened the car door and we got the keys for which we had suffered so much this day.
After the formalities with the AAA person got completed both me and Waman went back to Earls house again and thanked him again and finally returned to the safety of our house.
Moral of the story "Never lock yourself out of your car and house on snowy winter day".
Easier said than done, right?
Dec 3, 2008
Please dont make a Film out of Mumbai Terror Attacks
"Please don’t make a Film out of Mumbai Terror Attacks" was the appeal made by Sandip Ray son of the legendary film maker Satyajit Ray yesterday during some interview.
I agree with him to the fullest. I know its tempting for most of our modern day film makers to cash-in on such tragic events and I do agree some good classic films have been made on terrorism.
Besides it’s their creative freedom to choose what ever topic they like to make films on.
But my concern with these kinds of films is with the fact that due to commercial obligations or to show the actors in better light they glorify the very same terrorists, who have committed such terrible deeds, killed so many innocent people. Of course they do highlight the bravery and courage shown by our security forces. But some how or other these films depict the incidents in such a manner that the general public feel a sense of victory and feel good about it.
But after terrorists entering our commercial capital, holding the city of Mumbai to hostage for 60 long hours; killing so many people should we feel we one in the end?
I agree with him to the fullest. I know its tempting for most of our modern day film makers to cash-in on such tragic events and I do agree some good classic films have been made on terrorism.
Besides it’s their creative freedom to choose what ever topic they like to make films on.
But my concern with these kinds of films is with the fact that due to commercial obligations or to show the actors in better light they glorify the very same terrorists, who have committed such terrible deeds, killed so many innocent people. Of course they do highlight the bravery and courage shown by our security forces. But some how or other these films depict the incidents in such a manner that the general public feel a sense of victory and feel good about it.
But after terrorists entering our commercial capital, holding the city of Mumbai to hostage for 60 long hours; killing so many people should we feel we one in the end?
Dec 2, 2008
Mumbai Heroes who saved many lives
With Mumbai under terror attacks, many common Mumbaikars showed extraordinary courage and compassion at this time of grave crisis staring right at their face. Some of these heroic stories are now coming up in the media. New York Times today listed some of them.
Vishnu Datta Ram Zende used the public-address system at Mumbai's largest railway station, Victoria Terminus, to direct busy hordes of travelers to their trains, The New York Times reported.
Zende heard a loud explosion just before 10 p.m., and saw people running across the platform, he gripped his microphone and calmly directed a panicked crowd toward the safest exit. The station was suddenly under attack, the beginning of a three-day siege by a handful of young, heavily armed gunmen.
"Walk to the back and leave the station through Gate No. 1," he shouted alternately in Hindi and Marathi, barely stopping to take a breath until the platform was cleared. No sooner, gunmen located his announcement booth and fired, puncturing one of the windows. Zende was not hurt.
Overnight, Zende became one of Mumbai's new heroes, their humanity all the more striking in the face of the inhumanity of the gunmen. As the city faced one of the most horrific terrorist attacks in the nation's history, many ordinary citizens like Zende, 37, displayed extraordinary grace, The NYT said.
Many times, they did so at considerable personal risk, performing acts of heroism that was not part of their job descriptions. Without their quick thinking and common sense, the toll of the attacks would most likely have been even greater.
Not far from the train station, as the same network of gunmen stormed the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel, a sous chef named Nitin Minocha and his co-workers shepherded more than 200 restaurant diners into a warren of private club rooms called The Chambers.
For the rest of the night they prepared snacks, served soda, fetched cigarettes and then, when told it was safe, tried to escort the diners out through the back. They wanted to make sure their guests, many of them Mumbai's super-elite, were as comfortable as possible.
"The only thing was to protect the guests," said the executive chef, Hemant Oberoi. "I think my team did a wonderful job in doing that. We lost some lives in doing that."
During the attacks, six employees from the kitchen staff were slain. Another hotel employee, a maintenance worker on night duty, was shot in the abdomen and remained in critical condition on Monday, The NYT reported.
Minocha, 34, caught two bullets in the left arm. It felt numb. He could see that the bone had been shattered. He panicked.
"I'm a chef. I cook with both hands," he told himself.
Even after an aborted evacuation bid, hotel workers helped get water for their guests and held up bedsheets to create makeshift urinals. Next to the Nariman House, the headquarters of a Jewish religious organization, where gunmen took hostages, neighbors helped neighbors evacuate to safety.
At Victoria Terminus, Zende's calls prevented many commuters from walking into the path of two gunmen. "It occurred to me, I should prevent people from going to that side," he said.
The attackers had already shot up the other wing of the 130-year-old railway station, littering it with dead bodies, puncturing windows with bullet holes.
Vishnu Datta Ram Zende used the public-address system at Mumbai's largest railway station, Victoria Terminus, to direct busy hordes of travelers to their trains, The New York Times reported.
Zende heard a loud explosion just before 10 p.m., and saw people running across the platform, he gripped his microphone and calmly directed a panicked crowd toward the safest exit. The station was suddenly under attack, the beginning of a three-day siege by a handful of young, heavily armed gunmen.
"Walk to the back and leave the station through Gate No. 1," he shouted alternately in Hindi and Marathi, barely stopping to take a breath until the platform was cleared. No sooner, gunmen located his announcement booth and fired, puncturing one of the windows. Zende was not hurt.
Overnight, Zende became one of Mumbai's new heroes, their humanity all the more striking in the face of the inhumanity of the gunmen. As the city faced one of the most horrific terrorist attacks in the nation's history, many ordinary citizens like Zende, 37, displayed extraordinary grace, The NYT said.
Many times, they did so at considerable personal risk, performing acts of heroism that was not part of their job descriptions. Without their quick thinking and common sense, the toll of the attacks would most likely have been even greater.
Not far from the train station, as the same network of gunmen stormed the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel, a sous chef named Nitin Minocha and his co-workers shepherded more than 200 restaurant diners into a warren of private club rooms called The Chambers.
For the rest of the night they prepared snacks, served soda, fetched cigarettes and then, when told it was safe, tried to escort the diners out through the back. They wanted to make sure their guests, many of them Mumbai's super-elite, were as comfortable as possible.
"The only thing was to protect the guests," said the executive chef, Hemant Oberoi. "I think my team did a wonderful job in doing that. We lost some lives in doing that."
During the attacks, six employees from the kitchen staff were slain. Another hotel employee, a maintenance worker on night duty, was shot in the abdomen and remained in critical condition on Monday, The NYT reported.
Minocha, 34, caught two bullets in the left arm. It felt numb. He could see that the bone had been shattered. He panicked.
"I'm a chef. I cook with both hands," he told himself.
Even after an aborted evacuation bid, hotel workers helped get water for their guests and held up bedsheets to create makeshift urinals. Next to the Nariman House, the headquarters of a Jewish religious organization, where gunmen took hostages, neighbors helped neighbors evacuate to safety.
At Victoria Terminus, Zende's calls prevented many commuters from walking into the path of two gunmen. "It occurred to me, I should prevent people from going to that side," he said.
The attackers had already shot up the other wing of the 130-year-old railway station, littering it with dead bodies, puncturing windows with bullet holes.
Dec 1, 2008
"Mumbai Terror" Attack whos responsible
26th November Time 10:00 PM Mumbai.
Once again Mumbai woke up with the attack of Terrorism. Nobody knew that it was going to be a worst attack since 1993 Mumbai Blasts. On the target were one of the Old heritages of India “The Hotel TAJ ”, The Oberai, The Nariman house and the Terrorist’s favorite place “The CST Terminal’. After the 59 hours of battle Mumbai was finally freed from the terrorist but with the massive loss of Indian Heroes who gave their lives to save Mumbai. This was an attack not only on TAJ or Oberai. This is attack not only on Mumbai. This is the attack on India and on every Indian. We are the people who suffered the most. We are the people who have felt the pain and anger and we are the people among whom some have lost their lives and some their relatives. In this whole episode what was most disgusting was the act of the Politicians.
When the Mumbai was burning, when Hotel TAJ was set on fire, when hostages were crying for the help Where were our elite Politicians? our Leaders, don’t deserve to be called so. During those 59 hours, the toughest time India was facing, Our Politicians were sitting at their home and watching the live coverage of “Terrorist attack on Mumbai”. When the time was to take some action what the hell were they doing? This is really a ridiculous and the most embarrassing thing that can happen to any nation and when the whole Drama was over they came out from their Shell to get all the praise and appreciation But one thing they forgot that they couldn’t make the fool of Indian Public any more. Here is example of the most ridiculous comment given by one of our elite politician “Terrorist had plan to kill around 5000 people and govt has done well to make it to 200” and ”It was an International terrorist attack and govt can’t do much about this" . How can a person at such responsible position can give such a irresponsible statement. Our Gujrat’s CM who was most critical of the Malegaon Blast investigation done by ATS chief Hemant Karkare came to Mumbai and offered 1 crore rupees to his family to denigrate Maharashtra government who offered only 5 Lakhs rupees. What they wanted to show ? Whether they wanted to show that the life and the excellent work done by Karkare can be counted in terms of money? Never! What Mr Hemant Karkare and other elite officers did, I think we can never think in dreams . Even after his demise politicians are doing politics on his death. As of now it has been clear that this attack was not the intelligence of Terrorists but the failure of Indian Government and Indian Politicians whether it is a Maharashtra govt., UPA or NDA govt. This is not the first time when India saw the face of terror. Terror strikes in many faces but always promises were made by the Indian govt and the attacks get more daring and heinous and very less were done to the mark. If the Government of India don't have the guts to take the responsibility then they should give power to the citizens of India who are in better shape to make India terror free.
I salute to the People who directly or indirectly played a significant role in rescuing Mumbai from this Heinous Terrorist attack. As usual Indian media played the crucial role and made us to feel for the people who died and who fought against it. I salute to the people who gave us the live coverage of whole act. I am happy that our media is now mature enough and is becoming the voice of the Indians. The time has come to raise our voice now. We have lost s o many people in this battle against terror that nothing can be done to bring them back and I as a Indian don't want to loose my Indian brothers any more.
I am neither Hindu nor Muslim nor Sikh and nor even Christian. I am neither North Indian nor South Indian and nor even Maharashrian Before all these I am an Indian and it’s our responsibility to stand unite against this terror. This is the time to take some action before it’s too late and we regret to i t.
Show the anger which we all of have in some or the other way. We very well know that if Ind ians come to their own , they can beat anything which comes in their way and we have shown it in the past as well. So this is the time to give “Intt” ka jawab “Pa ther” se. This is the time to stand against this Terrorism because next target can be anybody. It can be You or me.
Nov 17, 2008
The Day I Laid My Feet on US Soil
Check in at Mumbai
I was scheduled to fly from Mumbai India to Boston MA USA on Saturday 27 September 08.I was all set to fly after the parties for friends; you know the kind where friends congratulate you for some thing and make sure you pay dearly for it J, shopping etc, etc. With my friends help we loaded the Bags in the Toyota Qualis we had rented to travel from my home in Wagh-Bill Thane. We [me, Kiran, Chiku and my Mother] started for the airport from home at around 9:30 PM to allow for sufficient buffer time for check-in at the Airport.
One of my very good friends Pintu was coming to the airport to see me off and he was also going to bring me some warm cloths so on reaching the particular gate where Air France check-ins were done we waited for him. After he arrived we chatted for around 30 mins or so and it was 12:30 when I bid goodbye to all gave every body a final hug, told Maa not to cry and checked-in.
My First Flight
After a long wait at the airport I boarded the plane for
So quickly I scampered my way through to my seat after the customary greeting by the air hostess. Then put my cabin luggage under the front seat and settled-in on my seat. Then safety instructions were given through the on-board entertainment system as the plane was getting on the run-way to take off. I fastened my seat belt and waited with bated breath as the plane accelerated on the run way and just like that we were in the air. Didn’t feel that scary; I looked through the window, Mumbai from the air, lots of small lights; the plane was still tilted vertically as we were ascending. After reaching cruising height they served refreshments and yes they did serve wine/beer along with the other beverages but I don’t drink alcohol.
A Morning in
My flight reached ahead of the scheduled arrival at
Not that food wasn’t around I just had to search something I could eat. I couldn’t pronounce the name of the salad I chose so just pointed it out to the shop owner. Then I had to wait for 5 and half hrs. It was boring, frustrating and down right horrible as I was feeling very sleepy and could not sleep as that may cause me to miss my flight. I tried various things to pass time browsed through duty free shops, tried calling home but could not as the instruction in the Public Phones were all in French somehow I waited out the 5 hr and then entered the terminal I was supposed to fly from.
Port of Entry
Finally after a brief delay in landing due to bad weather we landed at
To my greatest surprise the officer didn’t ask me much questions the only ones he asked were pretty straight forward. So Finally I was on American soil,
Came out of the airport and my HR Sunanda was waiting at the gate with a placard with my name on it. Not because I am a very important person but because I was carrying some thing for her from
Nov 5, 2008
Mumbai to Marlborough
The Prep Week
I just had one week to settle all my project related work and prepare myself for the on-site assignment at Marlborough and believe me one week is nothing if you have to get ready for a long term on-site assignment. Luckily for me I had few people around me who helped me a lot.It wasn't the project related stuff that worried me I was more worried about the Shopping,Clearance from all Dept. and Documentation that was needed.
I got the confirmation that I was going for to Marlborough on 20th Sept and I had till 27th to get ready.The same evening me and Kiran went to Anil bhai he and bhabhi helped us prepare a exhaustive list of things to buy.
Shopping for OnSite
I started shopping for the trip on the next day[21st Sept] as this was the only day available.Kiran my room partner was of immense help with the shopping.We started early from home[Thane] after breakfast,boarded a local and went to Dharavi first to get the most important thing a "Leather Jacket".When we got there there were around 200 leather product stores I was preparing myself for a long day of shopping fortunately it did not take long probably on our third attempt we found one that I liked. If it wasn't for Kiran I would have spent quite few Rupees more.He bargained well and we got the jacket for a very reasonable price.
Next Stop was Kanjurmarg where we thought we'll buy cloths and one of my friends Niteen was also going to meet us there.This was supposed take time and it was already 1PM so we had lunch at a hotel near to the Huma mall there and started our shopping again.I got the cloths after a few deliberations but they needed alterations and the shop owner was saying he can give the cloths after alterations only on Monday evening. I did not have that much time so we requested and he agreed to get that done the same day around 3 PM.
So we had around 2 hrs to kill so we were roaming around and then Niteen called , he was already there I met with him and his 2 friends who had come with him.Then we went to the baggage store[Geordianno] to buy bags.I had to buy 2 big bags [check-in] and one smaller cabin bag.For Rs 10,000 they seemed costly to me but Kiran was very adamant that we take those bags, I thought what the heck lets take it basically there wast much time to think.Jacket,cloths and baggage was done then we went to Big bazaar to get the other items in my long shopping list.
In all we finished most of the shopping stuff that day apart form the food items and medicine and winter cloths those things I could buy any time.
My only regret during all this frenzy was that I could not go home to meet my family before going abroad.I knew I wouldn't be able to meet them for at least another year.Once I told my family that I was going to Marlborough for a one year assignment and I wouldn't be able to come for Diwali my mother would cry on every phone call I make. So I thought to call my mother to Mumbai instead and one of my uncles was also ready to accompany her.
Travel Clearance
So i was almost all set to FLY except for few things my clearance was not getting done from my company I had to go to each of the departments I had to get clearance from. But all things ultimately worked out by the next Friday I was all packed-up and ready to FLY to USA baby.
I just had one week to settle all my project related work and prepare myself for the on-site assignment at Marlborough and believe me one week is nothing if you have to get ready for a long term on-site assignment. Luckily for me I had few people around me who helped me a lot.It wasn't the project related stuff that worried me I was more worried about the Shopping,Clearance from all Dept. and Documentation that was needed.
I got the confirmation that I was going for to Marlborough on 20th Sept and I had till 27th to get ready.The same evening me and Kiran went to Anil bhai he and bhabhi helped us prepare a exhaustive list of things to buy.
Shopping for OnSite
I started shopping for the trip on the next day[21st Sept] as this was the only day available.Kiran my room partner was of immense help with the shopping.We started early from home[Thane] after breakfast,boarded a local and went to Dharavi first to get the most important thing a "Leather Jacket".When we got there there were around 200 leather product stores I was preparing myself for a long day of shopping fortunately it did not take long probably on our third attempt we found one that I liked. If it wasn't for Kiran I would have spent quite few Rupees more.He bargained well and we got the jacket for a very reasonable price.
Next Stop was Kanjurmarg where we thought we'll buy cloths and one of my friends Niteen was also going to meet us there.This was supposed take time and it was already 1PM so we had lunch at a hotel near to the Huma mall there and started our shopping again.I got the cloths after a few deliberations but they needed alterations and the shop owner was saying he can give the cloths after alterations only on Monday evening. I did not have that much time so we requested and he agreed to get that done the same day around 3 PM.
So we had around 2 hrs to kill so we were roaming around and then Niteen called , he was already there I met with him and his 2 friends who had come with him.Then we went to the baggage store[Geordianno] to buy bags.I had to buy 2 big bags [check-in] and one smaller cabin bag.For Rs 10,000 they seemed costly to me but Kiran was very adamant that we take those bags, I thought what the heck lets take it basically there wast much time to think.Jacket,cloths and baggage was done then we went to Big bazaar to get the other items in my long shopping list.
In all we finished most of the shopping stuff that day apart form the food items and medicine and winter cloths those things I could buy any time.
My only regret during all this frenzy was that I could not go home to meet my family before going abroad.I knew I wouldn't be able to meet them for at least another year.Once I told my family that I was going to Marlborough for a one year assignment and I wouldn't be able to come for Diwali my mother would cry on every phone call I make. So I thought to call my mother to Mumbai instead and one of my uncles was also ready to accompany her.
Travel Clearance
So i was almost all set to FLY except for few things my clearance was not getting done from my company I had to go to each of the departments I had to get clearance from. But all things ultimately worked out by the next Friday I was all packed-up and ready to FLY to USA baby.
Oct 23, 2008
The Day I got my Big Ticket
Started quite simply
September 19,2008; This was supposed to be a regular Friday of my life as a Senior Software Engineer in a Indian MNC [ Patni Computer Systems,Mumbai], end of a long and busy work week and it was exactly like that until 11 PM.I got up at 10 AM , finished my chores ,boarded the company bus to my office at 11:30 like usual; at work did my share of meetings,chatting,coding, defect fixing and I was all ready to start my long and lazy week-end. Left office at 10 PM and reached home in about an hour; watched TV for some time and it was around 11:30/11:45 may be, I was getting ready to go to bed when I got a call on my cell phone.
The call that changed my life
From the called ID it was clear this was a call from on-site USA.I dreaded the worst, questions started popping up in my head ; is there a production issue ? do I have to go to office during the week-end?.... .I picked up the call and it was Renuka [Solutions Architect] my on-site contact. And the first thing she said after me saying "Hello!" was that "Don't worry Debasis this is not about any prod issue and Sanjay [Account Manager for the client I work for] wants to talk to you " I was relieved to know it wasn't about any issue but also a bit concerned because Sanjay rarely talked to me directly. Renuka transferred the call to Sanjay and these were very tense seconds.
The Ultimate Offer
Then after the customary greeting Sanjay asked "How soon can you finish the current assignment you are working on ?
My mind started making guesses again as to why he is asking this question ? I knew I was on track with the time-lines and most of it was already done.
I answered saying "We are on track to finish the development and unit test creation within one or two weeks time".
He said "can you finish this within one week?" Now I knew he was up to something here, I said I will try my best to finish the rest of the stuff within one week .
Then he revealed the big surprise.
He said finish what you are doing this week and I have an opportunity for you which can come very suddenly.If required work during the weekend.
I asked "No problem I will work on Saturday and if required on Sunday and finish the remaining work.By the way what is the opportunity you are talking about and he said I have an on-site assignment for you in Marlborough MA."
That was the sweetest thing he had ever said to me. I could not sleep the entire night , I tried realy hard to catch some shuteye as I had to go to office in the morning. It was simply too hard for me to digest that after waiting for this for more than three years it was finally my turn to FLY[मेरा नंबर आ ही गया].
Later I came to know that it was Renuka who had suggested my name to him when she heard that there was requirement at on-site as I had told her quite some time back about my ambitions.
I could never thank her enough for what she had done for me.She is the most humble and down to earth person I have ever worked with apart from being brilliant technically.
So after reaching Marlborough I met her in person for the first time and it was very nice to have finally met her.
That's about it. This is my first post on my blog. Any comments from anybody are welcome.
Debasys
September 19,2008; This was supposed to be a regular Friday of my life as a Senior Software Engineer in a Indian MNC [ Patni Computer Systems,Mumbai], end of a long and busy work week and it was exactly like that until 11 PM.I got up at 10 AM , finished my chores ,boarded the company bus to my office at 11:30 like usual; at work did my share of meetings,chatting,coding, defect fixing and I was all ready to start my long and lazy week-end. Left office at 10 PM and reached home in about an hour; watched TV for some time and it was around 11:30/11:45 may be, I was getting ready to go to bed when I got a call on my cell phone.
The call that changed my life
From the called ID it was clear this was a call from on-site USA.I dreaded the worst, questions started popping up in my head ; is there a production issue ? do I have to go to office during the week-end?.... .I picked up the call and it was Renuka [Solutions Architect] my on-site contact. And the first thing she said after me saying "Hello!" was that "Don't worry Debasis this is not about any prod issue and Sanjay [Account Manager for the client I work for] wants to talk to you " I was relieved to know it wasn't about any issue but also a bit concerned because Sanjay rarely talked to me directly. Renuka transferred the call to Sanjay and these were very tense seconds.
The Ultimate Offer
Then after the customary greeting Sanjay asked "How soon can you finish the current assignment you are working on ?
My mind started making guesses again as to why he is asking this question ? I knew I was on track with the time-lines and most of it was already done.
I answered saying "We are on track to finish the development and unit test creation within one or two weeks time".
He said "can you finish this within one week?" Now I knew he was up to something here, I said I will try my best to finish the rest of the stuff within one week .
Then he revealed the big surprise.
He said finish what you are doing this week and I have an opportunity for you which can come very suddenly.If required work during the weekend.
I asked "No problem I will work on Saturday and if required on Sunday and finish the remaining work.By the way what is the opportunity you are talking about and he said I have an on-site assignment for you in Marlborough MA."
That was the sweetest thing he had ever said to me. I could not sleep the entire night , I tried realy hard to catch some shuteye as I had to go to office in the morning. It was simply too hard for me to digest that after waiting for this for more than three years it was finally my turn to FLY[मेरा नंबर आ ही गया].
Later I came to know that it was Renuka who had suggested my name to him when she heard that there was requirement at on-site as I had told her quite some time back about my ambitions.
I could never thank her enough for what she had done for me.She is the most humble and down to earth person I have ever worked with apart from being brilliant technically.
So after reaching Marlborough I met her in person for the first time and it was very nice to have finally met her.
That's about it. This is my first post on my blog. Any comments from anybody are welcome.
Debasys
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